The Brij Bhushan acquittal has reopened a bitter chapter in Indian wrestling, with Olympic medallist Vinesh Phogat saying the women wrestlers who pursued the case will challenge the Delhi court’s verdict. The ruling came nearly three years after India’s leading wrestlers staged a high-profile protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Phogat said the complainants had instructed their lawyers to approach a higher court. She said the wrestlers had not lost hope and would continue their legal fight. Bajrang Punia, another prominent figure in the 2023 protests, also shared her statement.
Brij Bhushan acquittal sparks fresh response from Vinesh Phogat
Reacting to the verdict, Phogat alleged that political influence had helped shield Brij Bhushan during the case. She also said several women had faced pressure to withdraw their complaints.
Those statements represent the wrestlers’ response to the judgment and remain allegations made by the complainants. The court’s acquittal means Brij Bhushan was not found guilty in the criminal case.
The former WFI chief has consistently denied the allegations. After the verdict, he said he had maintained his innocence from the beginning and welcomed the court’s decision.
What the Delhi court ruling means
The Brij Bhushan acquittal followed a legal process that began after allegations by women wrestlers triggered nationwide attention in 2023.
The case involved allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan during his tenure as WFI president. Former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar was also acquitted, according to reports on the court’s decision.
The verdict does not prevent the complainants from seeking further legal remedies. Phogat has already said an appeal will be filed at the earliest.
How the wrestlers’ protest began
The dispute became a national issue in January 2023, when some of India’s best-known wrestlers began protesting against the WFI leadership.
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were among the leading faces of the demonstrations. The wrestlers demanded action over allegations of sexual harassment and called for changes within the federation.
The protests returned in April 2023 after the wrestlers said their concerns had not been adequately addressed. The Supreme Court’s intervention later preceded the registration of FIRs against Brij Bhushan.
Brij Bhushan case became a political controversy
The case also acquired a political dimension because Brij Bhushan was a prominent BJP leader and former Member of Parliament.Phogat referred to his political influence while responding to the judgment. She alleged that the system and government had worked to protect him.
Those claims are disputed and form part of the wrestlers’ criticism of how the case was handled.Brij Bhushan, meanwhile, has rejected the allegations and welcomed the court’s decision. His response after the verdict was that the judgment vindicated his position that the allegations were not true.
The competing reactions underline why the case has remained deeply divisive.
The wrestlers view the legal battle as unfinished, while Brij Bhushan has treated the acquittal as confirmation of his defence.
Why the appeal matters
The proposed appeal means the Brij Bhushan acquittal may not mark the final legal chapter.A higher court will have to consider the grounds raised by the complainants if they formally challenge the decision.
The appeal process could therefore bring renewed scrutiny to the evidence, testimony and legal reasoning involved in the case.For the wrestlers, the decision carries significance beyond one courtroom.
Their 2023 demonstrations raised wider questions about athlete safety, accountability within sports federations and the ability of prominent athletes to challenge powerful administrators.For sports bodies, the episode has also highlighted the need for effective mechanisms to address complaints of sexual harassment and protect athletes who report misconduct.
For Indian wrestling, the dispute has already left a lasting mark. The protests changed the relationship between leading athletes and the sport’s governing structure, while the legal proceedings kept the allegations in public focus.
The next court proceedings will determine whether that legal challenge changes the outcome or leaves Monday’s acquittal intact.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
